Towards more User-Friendly Public Open Space in Low-rise High Density Housing Areas

Can we provide enough both affordable and attractive housing at locations where people want to live? Nowadays, low-rise high density housing represents more and more possible answer to this question, as well as the answer to the problems of (un)controlled expansion of cities and using high-quality agricultural soil, the problems of the urban sprawls and decay of city inner areas. Although there are many understandable differences between countries, caused by specific institutional, systemic and planning framework, several common principles can be identified: location and sense of a place, successful allocation policy and occupancy, successful management approach, and good and quality urban and architectural design. Attractive and popular low-rise high density housing can be achieved when a number of interrelated factors are applied - a network of user-friendly, effective and geneorous open spaces (multy-use squares, parks, green spaces, pedestrian walks, courtyards, gardens etc.) is one of key element of urban and architectural design approaches wich is preparing in order to support environmentally friendly housing and improwing qualuty of resident lifestyles. Through the balance both private and public space for the residents, the high density living can promotes a greater sense of community, social interaction and cultural enrichment. This paper provides recommendations related to the significance and key principles of urban and architectural design of user-friendly open spaces in high density residential areas through theoretical approaches, institutional frameworks and good practice design

CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE POST-SOCIALIST PERIOD: CASE STUDY, THE CITY OF NIŠ

The paper deals with characteristics of multifamily housing development (MHD) in specific conditions of post-socialist transition. Multi-layered political, institutional and socio-economic changes have influenced the change in the urban structure of cities, including housing areas. Time distance of thirty years from the beginning of transition in Serbia, gives us a good position to monitor and fully understand the effects of changes, including the last and longest-term phase of transitional process – urban changes. The development of multifamily housing is examined on the example of the city of Nis, a typical socialist industrial city that underwent dramatic changes in the post-socialist period and represent a good testing ground for transitional changes and their effects. The goal of the paper is to recognize different types of multifamily housing and the transitional changes that led to certain type of development and their spatial distribution in the city. The research suggests that multifamily housing development is especially influenced by privatization in the initial phase of transition, restitution in the later phase of transition, changing role of public and private sector in housing development, as well as changes in urban planning

Revealing the relationship between city size and spatial transformation of large housing estates in post-socialist Serbia

This paper considers the links between the city size and transformation of inherited socialist large housing estates within the process of post-socialist urban changes in Serbia. Based on the theoretical and contextual framework, we investigate the following: 1) whether there is a relationship between different city sizes and types, pace and intensity of large housing estates physical and functional transformations, and 2) which type(s) of transformation are dominant in different city size categories. To highlight the relationship, this research draws on the empirical evidence from cities which represent four city size categories in Serbia: Belgrade (capital city), Nis (second-tier city), Leskovac (third-tier city), and Bor (fourth-tier city). Research reveals that transformation of large housing estates is shaped by an unregulated urban environment, relaxed legal culture, and entrepreneurial attitudes of the local authorities to urban planning. Recognizing the power of specific local imperatives, the investigation indicates the interrelation between a certain city size and types and intensity of transformations - they are most diverse in the capital, while diversities decrease with the cities downsizing. Dominant transformation types also vary, reflecting the city categories and their economic power - those that require high/moderate investments and involve many actors dominate in the capital and the second-tier city, while the types based on small individual actions and investments dominate in the third and the fourth-tier city. This initial research aimed to create a platform for further investigation that will provide broader insights into this underrepresented issue and set the ground for urban regeneration strategies

Strategic planning as a regional development policy mechanism: European context

The increasing interest in a strategic approach to space arrangement at all levels, and particularly on the intra and interregional level, as well as the changes in the area of spatial and regional planning, are some of the basic characteristics of theoretical and practical activities and efforts undertaken and realized in the field of organization and arrangement of space in the European Union during recent decades. Strategic planning gained importance in the framework of those changes, particularly owing to the growth of the environmental complex and sustainable growth planning, but also because of the need for a higher security of markets and states. Strategic spatial planning can be defined as a quite diverse planning activity. It is considered that 'new' strategic planning will not represent a return to comprehensive planning, but will rather be a combination of traditional and new approaches to planning of sustainable development where an integrative role will be progressively assumed by spatial and regional plans and programs. Apart from a review of the development of strategic planning, this paper considers the importance and role of strategic planning as a mechanism of regional development and 'new' regional politics, based on the contemporary development of critical thinking and practical experiences in the European Union

URBAN RESILIENCE: DEFINITIONS, UNDERSTANDING AND CONCEPTUALIZATION

Sustainability and resilience are the two main paradigms of planning and policy making in the past decades. Fostering resilience in the face of environmental, socio-economic and political uncertainty and risk has captured the attention of academics and decision makers across disciplines, sectors and spatial scales. Urban resilience has become an important goal for cities, especially from the point of view of adapting to climate change and reducing their ecological footprint. Urban resilience is conventionally defined as the measurable ability of any urban system, with its inhabitants, to maintain continuity through all shocks and stresses while positively adapting and transforming towards sustainability. However, in theory and practice there are different definitions that are often in conflict. This paper first provides an overview of existing definitions of urban resilience and highlights their main determinants. Then, the paper discusses definitions from the perspective of ways of incorporating key concepts found both in resilience theory and urban theory. In the following, similarities and mutual tensions are recognized between the key concepts. Finally, the paper concludes that a clearer conceptualization is needed to improve this developing field and create conditions for its further operationalization

INFLUENCE OF PRIVATE OPEN SPACES ON THE QUALITY OF LIVING IN LOW-RISE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

In contemporary theoretical approaches and practice, low-rise high density housing is recognized as appropriate housing model for solving spatial, social, economical and environmental problems in many urban situations. In addition to investigation of basic characteristics of this type of housing, the research focus is on analyzing benefits of implementation of private open spaces, which are recognized as one of main elements of low-rise high density housing. The research relies on the analysis of relevant literature and best practice examples.

THE LARGE-SCALE MULTI-STORY HOUSING EXTENSIONS AS A PREVALING EXPRESSION OF THE POST-SOCIALIST URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS. THE CASE STUDY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD STARA ZELEZNICKA KOLONIJA, THE CITY OF NIS

Abstract. This study considers how unstructured extensive housing upgrading has influenced social relations within fully upgraded multi-story housing areas during post-socialist urban transformations in the city of Nis. Two perspectives were adopted in the analysis: the evaluation of the planning and management of the upgrading process, and changes in the social relation in respect to changes in the built environment and social structure within the neighborhood after upgrading. The investigation is based on a triangulation approach relying on interviews, policy and regulation reviews, and observations. The research was carried out as a case study, analyzing the upgrading process at the city level but elaborating its effects on the example of the neighborhood of Stara Zeleznicka Kolonija (SZK). The research suggests a regressive approach to the planning of the upgrading process with critical implications both for community life in the fully regenerated neighborhoods, and the quality of the built environment. The research also indicates that within an inconsistent legislative environment, market-driven housing regeneration processes may lead to generic development with the denial of local social and physical specificities.Key words:   multi-story housing extensions, post-socialism, urban transformation, Serbia, Ni

Urban Transformations and Planning Strategies for Development of Large Housing Estates in the Post-Socialist Context: The Experience of The Baltic Countries

The fall of socialism and radical political changes in the 1990s established a new social, economic and cultural environment which shaped a new urban reality of the post-socialist city. One of them relates to inherited large housing estates (LHEs), one of the most striking spatial legacies of socialism whose future is considered as one of the key challenges in the urban development of the post-socialist city. National and local government’s responses to LHEs development can be recognized through different strategies and planning approaches. The paper discusses those that are characteristic of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Their experience of adapting the strategies and urban policies to the EU development and planning context may be of importance for the institutional and planning environment in Serbia. Besides the conceptualization of the post-socialist urban and housing policy and their influence on the transformation of LHEs in the Baltic countries, the paper is organized around two key research aims: 1) to investigate the types and intensity of physical-functional transformation of LHEs in the Baltic largest cities through up-to-date research of current challenges and future prospects of LHEs; and 2) to investigate national and local governments response to LHEs development in the post-socialist context, i.e. to identify a major planning strategies. The research findings suggest that building- and place-based urban regeneration, rather than downsizing or even demolition of LHEs, is the sustainable strategies for their future development. Although a comprehensive regeneration strategy is seen as sustainable solution for Baltic countries context, there are still many challenges for its implementation. Possibilities and limitations for its application in the Baltic cities are reviewed in order to identify opportunities and obstacles for implementing a comprehensive regeneration strategy in the context of Serbia, for which it is a novelty

A Framework for Assessing Nature-Based Urban Stormwater Management Solutions: A Preliminary Spatial Analysis Approach Applied to Southeast Serbia

The development of the stormwater management strategies, e.g., low-impact development (LID), water-sensitive urban design (WSUD), and sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS), was initiated in the mid-1980s as a set of engineering approaches and technologies to reduce the harmful effects of stormwater. Over time, all of them evolved in the holistic, multidisciplinary approaches and, today, they are increasingly viewed and implemented under the umbrella term “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS). The technical elements and measures of these NbS represent various technical solutions, implemented i.a., according to the suitability of the site to achieve their maximum efficiency. Currently, there are no standards or procedures for the application of NbS technologies in Serbia. To overpass this and encourage implementation, we carried out preliminary assessment of NbS elements suitability for application in eight urban settlements in the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia. The assessment is based on publicly available data and performed according to the existing recommendations in the field of spatial planning and rainwater management for WSUD. The analyses were conducted by GIS tools that involved spatial analyses of various terrain characteristics and provided an insight into the criteria, i.e., constraints that are key to the placement of various technical elements, including bioretention, rain garden, and permeable pavement. Research findings point out that creation of the thematic maps with area suitability ratings for individual NbS stormwater elements might represent a good starting point for further investigation, planning, and design. The proposed framework for preliminary assessment is potentially useful for the countries and regions without regulations in the field of NbS for stormwater management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ekološki dizajn otvorenih prostora u novim višeporodičnim stambenim područjima: kratak pregled iz baltičkih zemalja

After the political changes in the early 1990s, a new post-socialist reality was formed in the cities of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It is characterized by changed institutional planning conditions, which are reflected in changes in housing and urban policy. New types of multi-family housing led by private investors are emerging, in which open spaces are treated in different approaches. One of them is eco-friendly approach, which brings with it numerous benefits. In order to recognize the possibility of its applying in our planning practice, the aim of this research is to examine the modes and benefits of applying eco-friendly open space design, based on analysis of selected multi-family housing estates of the Baltic cities